BEAUTY

The New York-founded perfumer Le Labo goes the extra mile to add a personalised touch. The label of each bottle is printed with the receiver’s name and the location in which it was packaged, and each year, the team crafts a new scent that captures the essence of a specific city. Known as their “City Exclusives,” Le Labo has previously bottled up the smooth notes of cigars in Miami, the citrusy vibrancy of Seoul, and the musky allure of Los Angeles. For eleven months of the year, the full sized fragrances are available exclusively to the residents of that city. However, contrary to what Green Day might suggest, September is a big month for Le Labo enthusiasts, with full-size “City Exclusive” fragrances available online worldwide, in labs and at select retailers.

This year’s “City Exclusive” is a spritz of Mexico, with the keynote being one of its most controversial yet: coriander. Even those who are not fond of the herb might find themselves pleasantly surprised by the crisp, watery notes of “Le Labo: Coriandre 39”. Expect fresh, green florals upon the first spray, followed by a musky dry down. It’s a sensory ode to forest bathing in El Bosque de Chapultepec and sipping mezcal in the shade at a lively café in La Condesa.

The “City Exclusive” samples and discovery sets are available online now. The “Coriandre 39” full sized fragrance will be on sale from 1 September–30 September online, in labs and at select retailers. lelabofragrances.com.au.

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• • • Augustinus Bader’s Signature Facial Arrives in Brisbane
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Gwyneth Paltrow, Bobbi Brown, and Victoria Beckham are among the stars who have endorsed Augustinus Bader, the leading name in luxury skincare. Since its debut in 2018, Augustinus Bader has become a global sensation, celebrated for its  royal blue packaging and revolutionary technologies. The brand has expanded its offerings from skincare to haircare and signature facial treatments at Augustinus Bader Skin Labs, located in London and New York. Earlier this year, these treatments arrived in Australia, previously only available at select locations including Mecca Aesthetica in Victoria. 

Now, residents of the sunshine state can enjoy this luxury closer to home, with the treatment becoming available through Ascension Cosmetic Medicine in Brisbane, an award-winning clinic founded by  cosmetic physician Dr. Scott Allison. Guests can choose between a 60-minute or 90-minute facial, where they are invited to truly unwind under the comfort of a weighted blanket. Specialists will perform advanced fascia massage techniques combined with science-based formulas designed to stimulate the lymphatic system, enhance cellular communication, and alleviate skin congestion. Each facial will be customised to meet individual needs, featuring standout products infused with TFC8® and other innovative technologies to rejuvenate tired and dry winter skin.

The Augustinus Bader signature facial is available at Ascension Cosmetic Medicine, New Farm, Queensland, from August 8. Treatments start at $650. ascension.com.au.

Discover more expert coverage from T Australia:

• • • What’s the Secret Behind Augustinus Bader’s Skincare Success?
    • Coming Soon: Celine Beauté, Hedi Slimane’s Bold Step into Luxury Cosmetics
    • How Do You Build a Jungle?

In recent years, the beauty industry has been revolutionised by celebrity-owned and -promoted skincare products. Hailey Bieber’s Rhode line caused a frenzy, selling out within 10 minutes of its initial release in 2022. The following year, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty was valued by Forbes at $US2.8 billion (about $AU4.3 billion) and recognised as one of the highest-grossing beauty brands. Among this cohort is the German luxury beauty label Augustinus Bader, which has no shortage of celebrity endorsements. Gwyneth Paltrow is a firm believer in its Retinol Serum, Bobbi Brown claims The Rich Cream makes her skin smoother and, within a year of entering the market, Victoria Beckham Beauty launched a collection in collaboration with the company. But in such a competitive industry, oversaturated with labels fronted by high-profile fans, how did a humble professor and a financier persuade consumers to pay almost $450 for a 50-millilitre bottle of face cream?

In an interview with the Augustinus Bader co-founders, the former investment banker Charles Rosier and the medical doctor and professor Augustinus Bader, the latter, dressed in a crisp shirt and bow tie, softly suggests that the answer to that question can be found in the ingredients listed on the brand’s royal blue packaging. Augustinus Bader’s product line is powered by TFC8, short for Trigger Factor Complex. According to the company, the technology comprises “natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesised molecules that encourage optimal cell renewal”. Production is backed by Bader’s 30-year-career-spanning research and medical practice at medical schools in Chieti in Italy, Würzburg in Germany and the Inselspital in Switzerland. Bader has also worked at Shanghai Second Medical College and Harvard Medical School, and is now director of cell techniques and applied stem cell biology at Leipzig University in Germany.

“I was originally trained to work in organ transplantation, and it was during that time that tissue transplantation was really starting out,” Bader says. “I had a great teacher who was doing research on the new surgical procedure and, at some point, I decided it was better for me too to go into research, because I am not the best surgeon.”

Transplant surgery was prohibitively expensive at the time, Bader says, and the cost was matched by daunting waiting lists. “I wanted to find a way to eliminate the need for surgery, which led me down the path of skincare,” he adds.

In 2018, the professor and Rosier pitched their company to journalists, leaning hard on Bader’s medical research background.

Lewisham developed her own trademarked methodology, the PSU (Physiology Synchrony Unlock) Method, in collaboration with physiologists, focusing on identifying cellular processes essential for addressing skin concerns. “When formulating skincare, many brands start with the ingredients,” Lewisham says. “But we do it backwards. After we identify the cellular processes that must be triggered to reverse and prevent a skin concern, we then source the extensive combinations of active ingredients required to do this.”

It could be argued that consumers are actively seeking such innovative technologies. But even so, and despite the scientific credentials of its namesake founder, Augustinus Bader still relies heavily on consumer trust. Those willing to invest $561 for a 30-millilitre bottle of The Serum are taking a risk. Charles Rosier asks that customers share his faith in the skincare. “We’re not just packaging and marketing a group of ingredients that already exist in a different manner,” he says. “We’re selling a really disruptive product and technology.

“The story behind our brand is strong enough to tease the curiosity of consumers,” he continues. “But where we are lucky is that they actually like the product when they try it.” Perhaps he knows we’re predisposed to believe in miracles.

This article originally appeared on page 34 of T Australia’s “Structure” issue, with the headline “The Secret Ingredient”. Purchase a copy of the issue straight from our online shop or visit your local newsagent or supermarket.